Tara Kitchen

Tara Kitchen Visit our award winning Schenectady restaurant to get a taste of Morocco! The story of Tara Kitchen begins…with a love story.
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Owners Aneesa Waheed and Muntasim Shoaib met in Marrakech, Morocco and after a whirlwind romance, married under starry cobalt skies on a balmy North African night, in the shadow of the Atlas mountains. They left their desert paradise for Aneesa’s hometown of Schenectady—and brought with them their love of Morocco’s rich cuisine and culture. In Tara Kitchen, the only Moroccan restaurant in the capi

tal district, they share that love with a loyal and growing clientele. The couple opened the restaurant in 2012, after nearly three years of offering authentic ethnic food in the Schenectady and Troy farmers markets. Aneesa creates exotic yet accessible dishes—from fragrant tagines to delicious couscous—infused with the complex blend of spices and ingredients unique to Moroccan food. After receiving numerous requests for sauces to cook with at home, Aneesa created the Tara Kitchen line of distinctive jarred sauces that are free of gluten, nuts, soy, dairy, sesame and in some cases, salt and oil. They are available now on our website and at select Northeast Whole Foods stores, Price Chopper, Niskayuna Food CoOp and Honest Weight Food CoOP.

Work life balance strategy! Monday’s mean work from bed days 😂:: ❤️
06/15/2026

Work life balance strategy! Monday’s mean work from bed days 😂

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❤️

Scenes from tonight’s hearing, a totally black squirrel? Can’t say I have ever seen one! ::
06/11/2026

Scenes from tonight’s hearing, a totally black squirrel? Can’t say I have ever seen one!

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06/11/2026

Good evening.

My name is Aneesa Waheed, founder of Tara Kitchen, a boutique Moroccan restaurant group, and a proud certified NYC MWBE business.

First of all, as someone who has literally drawn workflow charts at home for my kids and husband just to get the dishes done, being here today feels like my wildest fantasy coming true.

As a small business owner, I’ve learned that becoming certified is only the beginning. The procurement process can be incredibly complex, with multiple certifications, systems, requirements, and layers of administration that can be difficult for small businesses to navigate.

That’s why micro-purchasing is so important.

For many small, independently owned restaurants and mom-and-pop businesses, participating in large procurement opportunities simply isn’t realistic. We don’t have procurement departments or teams dedicated to navigating government contracts. But what we do have is the ability to provide high-quality food, catering, and hospitality directly in our communities.

Micro-purchasing creates a practical and accessible entry point. It can include something as simple as catering a staff meeting, providing boxed lunches for a training session, breakfast or coffee service for a morning briefing, or small-scale catering for community events and cultural celebrations. These are everyday needs that small MWBEs are well positioned to fulfill.

At a time when small businesses are facing rising costs and softening consumer demand, these types of opportunities can provide meaningful, stable revenue that helps keep doors open, supports local jobs, and strengthens neighborhood economies.

When the City spends with small MWBEs, it is not just a transaction—it is an investment in local entrepreneurs and the communities we serve.

And ultimately, success should not be measured by how many MWBEs are certified. It should be measured by how many are getting paid.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight.

.daa

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Not going to lie—I was pretty frazzled leading up to today’s James Beard Foundation dinner.Turns out the best cure for p...
06/10/2026

Not going to lie—I was pretty frazzled leading up to today’s James Beard Foundation dinner.

Turns out the best cure for pre-event panic is a room full of wonderful guests, great conversation, and empty plates.

Had such a lovely time sharing Moroccan food, stories, and a little bit of myself today. Thank you to everyone who joined us—you made all the stress completely worth it. A huge thank you to the incredible JBF team for creating such a warm and welcoming experience, and to Chef Victor for a beautiful collaboration presenting Brazilian and Moroccan flavors together.

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06/09/2026

An inside view for you at home 😍 I swear I never know who’s gonna pop into my frame 😂😂😂

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06/09/2026

Regular episode of Seinfeld around here 😂😂😂

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I have never been one to sugarcoat the realities of this business. Restaurants are often the first to feel economic pres...
06/08/2026

I have never been one to sugarcoat the realities of this business. Restaurants are often the first to feel economic pressure and the last to fully recover from it. As owners, we’re balancing rising costs, changing consumer habits, labor challenges, and uncertainty from every direction—all while trying to preserve the hospitality and experiences our guests deserve.

I’m grateful to be featured in today’s paper discussing the state of the restaurant industry, why local restaurants matter, and what I believe is at stake if we lose them. These conversations aren’t always comfortable, but they’re important. If those of us living it don’t speak up, who will?

The restaurant business has given me a life, a purpose, and a platform. I feel a responsibility to use that platform honestly—not just to celebrate the wins, but to talk openly about the challenges too.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support independent restaurants. Every reservation, every meal, every recommendation matters more than most people realize.

FoodCommunity RestaurantIndustry SupportLocal

Rare Saturday night off! Great family fun at a cousins wedding in New Jersey. Always nice to catch up with everyone and ...
06/07/2026

Rare Saturday night off! Great family fun at a cousins wedding in New Jersey. Always nice to catch up with everyone and play dress-up! We had a blast ❤️

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06/06/2026

“Airball”

06/06/2026

“Airball” 😂😂😂

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Address

431 Liberty Street
Schenectady, NY
12305

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11:30am - 2pm
5pm - 8pm
Wednesday 11:30am - 2pm
5pm - 8pm
Thursday 11:30am - 2pm
5pm - 8pm
Friday 11:30am - 2pm
5pm - 8pm
Saturday 5pm - 8pm
Sunday 5pm - 8pm

Telephone

+15187083485

Website

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